Police fire GPS-tracker onto getaway cars

Police departments in America are now using a new technology which helps catch fleeing crims. The chase vehicle ‘fires’ out a GPS tracking unit which sticks to the getaway car and enables police to follow the vehicle in less-of-a Hollywood-blockbuster fashion.

The system gives the police some room to work with so the chase can be followed at a lower and safer speed. As an added element of safety, the criminal may also slow down (somewhat) due to the police not being right on their tail, leaving them less aggravated, resulting in even less danger to the public. The criminal can then be intercepted and captured at an appropriate area ahead.

Our own Australian police department is now thinking of adopting such technology. Called the StarChase system, the Police Federation of Australia has asked the government to investigate the system and to consider including it on their current fleet of chase vehicles.

We can’t help but wonder what sort of costs this would involve and if Australia’s criminal activity even has a demand for the technology. Australian police chases are a little more civilised and conservative compared to the stereotypical, American-style pursuit which includes helicopters, TV cameras and V’s of hunting police cars.

Still, it could persuade potential criminals to think twice before they get themselves into such dangerous and illegal scenarios.